Guide To Mexico City's National Museum Of Anthropology

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The National Museum of Anthropology is a worthwhile day activity while visiting Mexico City. It is one of the most visited museums in all of Mexico and draws tourists interested in Mexican history and anthropologists from around the world. It is located in Mexico's historical district, not too far the National Palace, which makes it easy to visit while out seeing other important landmarks. Enjoy an afternoon exploring human history, or spend an entire day at the museum for an in-depth study.

Why To Visit 

Why do so many millions of people visit the National Museum of Anthropology each year? Is it because it is the home of the Mayan calendar? Is it because of its huge collection of ancient art from around the world, or its beautiful exterior gardens or its world-famous reputation? All are fabulous reasons to visit the museum and keep going back since the visiting exhibits are rotated every few months. Art lovers, history buffs and school children will all get a kick out of this world class museum that houses more than half a million works and artifacts.

How To Get There 

National Anthropology Museum
Av Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi S/N
Chapultepec Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo, 11560
Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
+52 55 4040 5300
www.mna.inah.gob.mx

The museum is about a half-hour drive directly west of the National Palace, bordering the Bosque de Chapultepec - one of Mexico City's most beautiful public parks. The Anthropology Museum is also just a quick walk from public transportation. Visitors should take the metro to the Auditorio Station.

Exhibits On Mexican History

Unsurprisingly, the Museum of Anthropology has one of the largest collections of Mexican artifacts in the world. It boasts the most comprehensive array of Mayan and Aztec pieces and also has some amazing exhibits on the Olmec civilization and other pre-Columbian civilizations. However, the museum doesn't stop there, it also has another floor dedicated to Spanish colonization and all of Mexico's history leading up to modern day. However, some of the most favorite and interesting pieces are the Aztec sculptures such as the Aztec Sunstone and the statue of Coatlicue, an Aztec goddess.

Related: Navigating Mexico City's Public Transportation

Other Sites To See At The Museum 

For those who already know about Mexican history and want to dig a little deeper into human evolution and anthropology at a larger scale, there are certainly some exhibits to see at this museum. Though most of the museum is dedicated specifically to Mexican artifacts, there are a few other exhibits as well. Furthermore, the museum itself is an architectural feat and the gardens are spectacular. The museum also houses a terrific restaurant, which is the perfect place to grab lunch if you need a little break from history during your time at the museum.

Visiting Exhibits

There are currently two visiting exhibits at the National Museum of Anthropology. One features works of Ancient Greece. Study beautiful sculptures, reliefs and claywork in this world class exhibit that explores Ancient Greece from Doric to Hellenistic periods. This exhibit is sure to impress Art History students and those who have visited Europe in the past.

The second visiting exhibit explores Ancient India. See the colorful works of Ancient Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims from across India. Learn about the Mughal Empire and how it shaped India and the surrounding countries into the culturally diverse places they are today.

Visiting exhibits add depth and context to the permanent collections featured throughout the rest of the museum. Looking solely at work from one place, it can be difficult to remember what else was going on around the world at that time. The fantastic temporary collections at the Anthropology Museum help guide visitors through time.

Related: Mexico City's Best Historic Landmarks

Cameron Bruns is the founder of BostonGreenBlog.com and co-author of Just Us Gals Boston. She lives in Boston's North End, where her goal is to promote ethical, stylish, and sustainable lifestyle choices to all Boston residents. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.